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Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Sept 19, 2009 17:18:42 GMT -5
Calvin returned the smile with one of his own. He could not help but smile when seeing her. but the door broke the lock and he was saddened. "Geez, Calvin, already falling in love with a girl you met not even a day ago?" he questioned himself. "You dont even know her favorite color! How are you supposed to hold a relationship with someone like her?" He scratched behind his ear briefly as he thought some more.
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carabadgermum
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~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Sept 19, 2009 18:45:48 GMT -5
A moment later Ivy poked her head out the door. She hoped that he hadn't gone downstairs already but there he was. She grinned. "I couldn't remember the color of your cravat." She looked down from his eyes to the collar of his suit and then back up into his eyes. "Blue. Oh good my dress is blue as well and it is my favorite." She winked. "Why don't you go down and wait for me? You can see if the musicians Mother hired are any good or if I will be forced to take over on the Pianoforte. Did I tell you that I play?" she was about to tell him more when her maid called her back. "I'll see you later, Calvin." Then the door closed again and she was gone from his sight.
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Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Sept 19, 2009 18:59:22 GMT -5
Calvin blinked and was silent. He never had been good at piano, nor had he been any interest in it. He was actually much more interested in what she was going to wear. And the word "blue" was not enough to help his imagination. Calvin thought for a moment before beginning to walk downstairs, looking down at his feet as he slowly rounded a corner, only to run into someone he would not expect. Rocky.
Rocky was not happy about not being prepared, as he had a solo tonight that could give him a raise of pay. He just could barely keep his excitement in as he stood waiting for the dance to begin. After telling Zib, he headed for the door to get some fresh air to keep himself cool and composed. "this is a simple job, Rocky. Nothing more. Dont get carr-" said Rocky before he smacked into Calvin.
"You!" exclaimed Rocky and Calvin simultaneously. They stared at each other for a good moment, then got up and cleaned themselves off. "What are you doing here?" asked calvin. "I was about to ask you the same thing." said Rocky.
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carabadgermum
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~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Sept 20, 2009 14:36:23 GMT -5
"Thy gentlebeast is very handsome, Miz Ivy," the hedgehogmaid smiled as she carefully helped Ivy out of her day gown. She noticed that the hem was wet and a bit sandy. It never ceased to amaze the servant how the admiral's daughter could manage to get herself into so many scrapes and still come out on top of things. "Did thou find him washed up on the sea shore like one of thy pretty shells or interesting bits of driftwood?"
Ivy laughed at the observation. "Yes I suppose I did." Ivy thought as she put on her new stockings how Calvin had spoken of building a boat and going to sea. And she would be there at his side when he set off, if she had anything to say about it that is.
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Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Sept 20, 2009 19:40:50 GMT -5
Rocky spoke before Calvin could even reply. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at home? And how could you get in? They would never have allowed you in solo!" Fur was beginning to stand on end on him as he feared losing his one chance to have a solo.
Calvin blinked, not knowing what to say. "Dancing?" was all he came up with from a minute of standing there blankly.
Rocky sighed. "Alright, well im not going to make you leave. Did I tell you I was in a band?"
"No, you said you worked in the Navy." replied calvin.
"I do! I just...play for them on occasion."
Calvin nodded slowly, as he glanced back up to Ivy's room. He longed to see her again, though he did enjoy seeing his cousin again.
"why are you looking up in Miss- Ohhhohoho! Does my boy Calvin got himself a girl?" teased Rocky as he stepped out of arms reach.
Calvin went scarlet. "N-n-no! She is not!"
"riiight. And I suppose you're not in love with her at all."
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carabadgermum
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~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Sept 21, 2009 0:03:31 GMT -5
The dress that Cassy the Hogmaid had laid out for Ivy was a simply elegant primrose-yellow gown (( www.sensibility.com/pattern/showandtell/Img_0118.jpg imagine it a bit more yellow)) and would have been suitable for any other ball but tonight was special. "Oh Cassy, not the yellow one. I want the blue tonight, the one with the gold trim." (( www.sensibility.com/pattern/showandtell/costume.jpg or something like that.)) The hogmaid shook her head and rolled her eyes at the impulsive she-cat. "O'course, Miz Ivy. I'll go and get it for thee." Ivy sat at her dressing table and brushed her fur while the gowns were exchanged. When she saw the reflection in her mirror of the maid returning she jumped up again. "It'll be perfect, Cassy. Don't you think? I can't wait for Calvin to see it." "Thou seems quite taken with this Master Calvin, if thee don't mind me sayin' so, Miz Ivy." Cassy commented while she helped the young mistress to dress. Ivy giggled and pushed her paws through the sleeves. "I do like him very much. He's smart and kind and handsome and funny and . . ." "It sounds to me, Miz, as if likin' hardly covers it. Seems to me, if thee will forgive me bein' so bold, that thou art well on thy way to bein' in love with that gentlebeast." Cassy finished buttoning the back of the gown and stepped back, a little nervous that she had spoken out of turn. But Ivy didn't scold the servant. She smiled at her through the reflection in the mirror. "Maybe I am."
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Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Sept 22, 2009 18:43:40 GMT -5
Calvin turned his back to his cousin. He didn't want to admit to it, admit how easily he could fall in love with her. He kicked a pebble that managed to make its way into the house. "I do..." he muttered quietly, hoping he could say it and not be heard.
Rocky heard it clear as day. He slapped his cousin on the back. "Well dont sit here and tell me that, Freckle, tell her! She should appreciate that you feel like that about her. And you could score, if you know what I mean."
Calvin scowled briefly and pushed Rocky. "Im not like that! Im not going to take advantage of her!"
"whatever. But she might ask you. Anyhow. How did you get in anyhow? And where'd you get the clothes?"
"Im a Fairfax, apparently. Sounds like some crop or something, if you ask me."
Rocky looked back at the clock and gasped. "I gotta run, i got a solo to get to. I'll question you later."
Calvin waved slightly, and he began walking slowly up the stairs, watching his cousin run off. "How do i tell her? Its not courteous to just go up to her and say 'I love you'."
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carabadgermum
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~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
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Post by carabadgermum on Sept 23, 2009 15:50:07 GMT -5
However instead of finding Ivy the first person Calvin ran into was her mother.
"Oh there you are, Mr. Fairfax. I've been looking everywhere for you. The Admiral has been informed of your arrival and he can't wait to meet you. He's in his study finishing up a few things before the ball begins. Just follow me I'll show you the way." She must have not been sure that he would in fact follow so rather than just leading the way she grabbed his arm and, as Ivy had done earlier, dragged him towards her husband's personal office chamber.
"Well then thou should tell the poor beast." Cassy grinned back at her mistress not trusting that she wasn't going to get in trouble for speaking her mind on the subject. "Males never were clever at readin' the minds of us'ns, Miz Ivy."
The catmaid spun around in her chair to look the hedgehog in the eyes. "Do you really think so, Cassy?" She bit her lip and looked worried. "I was rather afraid that I might scare him away if I announced something like that too soon."
"Oh Miz, if thy gentlebeast is the right one, he'll understand. He might even be thinkin' o'tellin' you the same thing."
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Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Sept 23, 2009 17:18:13 GMT -5
Calvin couldnt help but drag his feet. He had no idea what to do. He was supposed to wait for Ivy, who would explain it all to him, but not this soon! "Uh, maybe I should wait for your daughter, Im supposed to be waiting for her once she was done changing." he stammered, hoping that he could get out of this to get Ivy.
((would post more but i have a job to do))
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carabadgermum
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~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Sept 23, 2009 22:29:53 GMT -5
"Don't you worry. I'll tell Ivy where you've gone and explain everything to her." They had reached the door to the study and Lady Nelson reflexively straightened Calvin's cravat just as she would have done for her own son. "You just go right in and see the Admiral and don't worry about a thing." She pushed him forward through the door. "Husband, Mr. Fairfax is here to see you," she called and then turned once more to Calvin, "Enjoy your chat. I'll see you at dinner. I made sure an extra place was laid next to Ivy's." Then she slipped out of the study and closed the door behind herself.
Lord Nelson had been looking down at his paper work but now that his wife had exited he looked up at the young cat before him. He was frowning but there was a twinkle in his amber eyes that was very reminiscent of his daughter's. "So Mr. Fairfax, tell me how are the creatures on Green Isle? I have to admit it has been some time since my last visit but I can't seem to remember being introduced to a Calvin while I was there, nor anybeast of your description. You see all of the Fairfax family have the distinction of being sable in coloring. But perhaps my daughter had forgotten that fact since she was very young when she made the journey with me." He waited a beat to see if Calvin would try to make some excuse. Then his face broke into a smile that spoke of a humor very much like Ivy's. "Or perhaps my daughter remembered very well that no other beast among our acquaintance has had the same opportunity to visit the home of the Fairfaxes and thought that might be the perfect alias to give to a creature she was fond enough of to get past her mother."
He laughed a warm, deep purr of a laugh. "Don't worry. I won't bite. Ivy is a good judge of character even if she is a bit impulsive. She gets that from me."
Ivy grinned and slipped her footpaws into blue silk dancing slippers. Then she stood and hurried towards her bedroom door.
"Miz Ivy, thou art forgetting thy sore ankle," Cassy admonished her playfully.
The catmaid closed her eyes and groaned. "I should have thought of some other way for Calvin not to have to dance." She did a practice hobble back across the room towards her maid and asked, "How does that look?"
"Very painful indeed. Just don't thee forget which footpaw thou hast injured."
"Indeed." Ivy limped slowly to the door but looked back over her shoulder before she exited. "Thank you, Cassy."
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Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Sept 24, 2009 5:48:15 GMT -5
Calvin blinked. He had not expected such a warm person to be speaking to him. Lord Nelson was supposed to be a terror of the seas and lands. No one dared even breath a word about him. Staring he managed to say, "Im supposed to be waiting for her.", still using his failed plan of getting back to Ivy. "She needs my help with her ankle." He expected Lord Nelson to get mad or begin questioning him, but he had already been fooled once by false ideas. Perhaps Lord Nelson was a person who he could trust with him being McMurray, and not Fairfax.
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Garret Strife
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Can I... Can I have the last cupcake?
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Post by Garret Strife on Sept 24, 2009 20:32:51 GMT -5
A strongly built male entered the room, wearing a long coat, with a blade of great size and musket across his back. Beneath the coat were two bulges indicating that he had other weapons strapped to his hips. He tried to smooth the Black fur on his head down before speaking. "My apologies, Admiral. I was unable to get here sooner, I had to run here. Tonight of all nights I have to be present to do my job, as such I imagine that it would be best I do a quick check of the grounds, and.... I see you're already in a meeting. All the more reason for me to go." The fox said, and left, unintentionally slamming the door behind him.
Garret hurried down the hall, cursing silently.
"Damn it, first day and I wasn't able to make it on time. On top of this, I'm working as bodyguard for the daughter of Admiral Nelson. Good lord, tardiness is a sin in my position. I hope he doesn't take this first impression as a symbol of ethic, or I'm out of a job, and possibly a life. Indeed, I hope he doesn't live up to his repu-" He was cut off as he walked right into a limping young maid, one who greatly met the description of Miss Ivy Nelson.
He caught her as she fell, and put her back on her feet. "My dearest apologies, Miss."
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carabadgermum
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~Badger Matriarch~[P:NaN]
the paw that rocks the cradle rules the world
Posts: 3,409
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Post by carabadgermum on Sept 24, 2009 21:55:54 GMT -5
Lord Nelson nodded to the fox solemnly and then turned his attention back to Calvin. "Ah yes the ankle. My wife informed me about Ivy's injury. Funny, that. My daughter is usually very light on her paws. So tell me," he leaned across the desk slightly and looked seriously at Calvin. "Is it you who doesn't like to dance? Or was she worried that you would be jealous if any other beast asked her?"
Ivy stared wide eyes at the fox for a moment. She had never seen the dangerous looking beast before in her life. In fact she had never been informed that such a creature would or should be in her home. Not knowing quite what the protocol was for such an occasion she simply blurted out the question, "Who in fates seasons are you?" It was strong language for a lady but she had been brought up around her father's sailors and she could have used much worse in such a situation.
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Post by Calvin "Freckle" McMurray on Sept 25, 2009 5:21:44 GMT -5
Calvin looked at the fox as he entered. He, like he did in most of his confused states, blinked. He turned back to Lord Nelson after he left. He looked down sheepishly after he asked about the injury. "I just dont dance. Its not something I found interest in. So, this cat doesn't dance." He, though he did not have a problem with Lord Nelson, wanted to get back with Ivy. A mixture of longing and fear drove him to see her. Calvin scratched his ear briefly as he listened to the Lord.
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Garret Strife
Full Member
Can I... Can I have the last cupcake?
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Post by Garret Strife on Sept 25, 2009 15:19:30 GMT -5
"Well, Miss Ivy, your father has hired me, rather recently. I am to be your personal bodyguard, with you at all times appropriate. My apologies for my unexpected presense, I guess you weren't told, and it doesn't help that I was late due to a few... Issues. However, I will be keeping watch over you tonight at the Ball, and from then on.
My name is Garret Strife II, and rest assured, you're safe in my hands. I won't allow any harm to come to you. I need a suit though... I don't think my appearance would be liked at the Ball." Garret said, with a slight sheepish grin, indicating his clothing, which, though not horrible, was far from formal and rather resembled the uniform of a soldier.
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